Question: It's a little bit different situation for Sacred Heart since you are coming off a winning season. How does that change things?

Nofri: "It doesn't change what we do in the off-season. We kind of did the same things that we did last year in terms of lifting, conditioning and what we did in spring ball. But the mindset is a little bit different. I think it's harder to stay on top than to get to the top. We were stressing to the kids that because we return so many seniors off a team that was 10-3 that you are the hunted now. ¦ Don't take anything for granted. Everything that happened last year was great and you deserved it, but everything started fresh Dec. 1 the day after Fordham."

Question: You gave Fordham a good ball game in your first trip to the postseason. Did that loss linger?

Nofri: "It lingered for a little bit, it was disappointing. They were a great football team going in 11-1 and had a phenomenal season themselves. They were very good and we got down early. But what I was impressed with is our kids battled back versus a team that was 11-1 with that much skill. We closed it to 33-27 with six minutes to go in the game, so we were right there. It was the same thing -- don't let up, play hard for 60 minutes and find ways to win and grind. That's what we did and I think our kids realized at the end of the game that, hey, we just played with a top-20. ¦ It was a good experience and I think they see now what they can do if they live up to their potential."

Question: After a great season, have you seen the players put in that time and effort during the offseason and in the spring that made you so successful in 2013?

Nofri: "They've worked and they have put the extra time in. I still believe that they have a chip on their shoulder and that's what we played with last year. It's my job and the coaches' job to make sure they continue to play with that chip on their shoulder and don't take anything for granted. We have a sign that we put up after Christmas when they got back in January that says, `Never be satisfied. Stay Hungry.' Don't just be satisfied we finished 10-3 and proved everybody wrong. Are we going to let up or go out and try to get another one? ¦ You don't want to peak and valley and win it every five years. My goal is to have a consistent program. A winning program every year with great kids who graduate on time ¦ and do other things besides play football here."

Question: Quarterback RJ Noel came in his first year and played great. What do you expect out of him in the second year?

Nofri: "You are hoping that he is coming off a great red-shirt freshman year and you hope every year that your quarterback improves regardless of what year he is. I do think he has some things to work on like all of us, and has a chance to get better. He had a decent spring and we are looking for him to take the next step. He's a competitor first and foremost and more importantly, he's a leader. It's a matter of fine-tuning his mechanics and being more mature with the ball, but you can't ask for anything better than he did last year (2,203 passing yards, 51.9 completion percentage, 23 touchdowns, nine interceptions plus 689 rushing yards with eight TDs). You just hope he continues to grow and mature."

Question: Also back is your workhorse tailback Keshaudas Spence, who rushed for 1,669 yards and 13 touchdowns. What do you expect from him?

Nofri: "He had a decent spring and we got him his work, but we also got a chance to look at some of our freshman. But again, you don't want to bang up everyone that you have. Our goal was to get through spring healthy, so that was a positive. ¦ You need him to be healthy (deep in the season) and you need him to hang onto the ball, and you need those big guys up front executing which they did last year."

Question: Speaking of the offensive line, the chemistry that group had was a real key to the success Noel and company had. How does that unit look going into 2014?

Nofri: "We have everyone back but the left guard, Paul Link (graduate), he's gone. The center, Andrew Brigley, is going to be a graduate student and the right guard is Nick Bartoli, who has been a two-year starter for us. And then Jamie Martinez is back at right tackle (and 6-foot-9 Dan Polaski is at left tackle). I say it all the time that it starts up front; it starts with our offensive line and our defensive line. They set the tone."

Question: There seems to be a brotherhood in your secondary with all the veterans back. How does that benefit the defense?

Nofri: "Those are guys that have been together for four years now. Those kids have been starting since their freshman year in terms of Stephan Thomas, Gordon Hill, Dennis Regan, Preston Sanford and J.D. Roussel. We got some experience back there from some guys who have been playing since their freshmen year and are leaders. I feel pretty good about the secondary."

Question: The front seven seems to be a veteran group as well on defense with defensive ends Trey Moore and Connor Caveny along with linebackers Kellen Sperduto and Connor Candito. Who else might help you there?

Nofri: "Kevin Barry played a lot as a freshman (at linebacker), but he wasn't a starter. He has game experience. We'll be all right there."

Question: With 18 starters back from a successful season, is that a good thing to have as you try to keep the winning tradition going at SHU?

Nofri: "I think it is good that they have tasted the success that they've had and see what the hard work that they put in can do for them. Now, it's just a matter of they continue to do that and making sure they don't get complacent."

Question: Coming off a winning season, did you find that more people were interested in coming to SHU to play football than in past years?

Nofri: "There was a lot of interest (SHU has a freshmen football class of 48), but we have always had a lot of interest because of the school's name and recognition. But yeah, we generated quite a bit of interest and it comes down to can they afford it as a family and how much scholarship money we have left for how many kids? It was great because it added some excitement and positive spin by having a winning season like that."